Jethro double-checked something that had caught his attention earlier during the back checks that hadn't seemed like a big deal, considering where they were before they'd known about the looting. Jethro and McGee then quickly made their way back into the city, Dex and Corporal Ryan in tow, to confront their suspect.
At this point, it was pretty obvious who had fired the kill shot that killed the sergeant. Only one individual had the window of opportunity, training, and was involved in the little thieving operation the sergeant had found himself unwittingly dragged into.
It was ridiculous how something so petty had cost a young man his life, simply due to getting a bad assignment and wanting to go home to start a family instead of taking the job offer that doubled as a pay-off.
Virgil gave the group an odd look as they walked up. "Well, that's the dog I requested, Corporal Ryan, but I didn't say anything about the, uh, entourage."
McGee didn't miss a beat. Jethro was honestly quite proud of the kid. "We just wanted to see what you were renovating next, Mr. Virgil."
Virgil turned towards Jethro slightly, clearly confused as to where the conversation was headed. "Look, Agent Gibbs, we've got work to do, so whatever this is about..."
"It's about what you did to Sergeant LeMere," Jethro explained. "Using him and Dex to clear bombs out of buildings you were looting."
Virgil gave them an incredulous look. "Looting?"
He watched as Tyber almost immediately glanced over at Virgil. The man's expression, was like he was trying a little too hard to appear nonchalant.
"The sergeant only thought he was keeping you safe," McGee stated. "When he found out what you were up to, you buy him off with that pendant."
"The one he sent to his wife," he added.
McGee evidently wasn't finished just yet. "The same one you had Pitt's nephew, Marty, try and steal back from her to cover your tracks."
"Yeah," he said, "that kid's back in D.C. right now, spilling his guts."
"Look, there was no looting, okay?" Virgil replied. "Teddy had that wrong. All we did was collect what was left behind. You know, with no one around to even miss the stuff. For days, I was offering the kid a job.
"When Teddy didn't take it," he stated, "you killed him."
"What are you talking about?" Virgil challenged. "I was standing right next to him."
"I wasn't talking to you," he replied pointedly. His gaze then flickered towards Tyber for a brief moment before landing back in front of him.
Tyber sneered. "Prove it."
Dex started growling at the supposed head of security.
"We will soon enough," he stated. "Background check says you're a marksman. Former Special Forces. Sniper training, top of your class." Not unlike myself.
"Son of a bitch," Tyber growled before raising his weapon.
Jethro quickly raised his own weapon as Dex jumped at Tyber in an attempt to protect him. Unfortunately, before he could stop Tyber, the pathetic excuse of a man had put a round into Dex's stomach. A mere second later, the kill shot that Jethro had fired went into Tyber's head, the former sniper unceremoniously falling to the ground.
He and McGee stood in position for a moment and once Virgil had put his hands in the air, Jethro approached Dex. He comforted the dog while doing everything he could to get him quick medical attention.
The next hour or so was a little hectic. Of course, Virgil and Tyber had to be dealt with. Then, after making sure that Dex was in good hands at the field hospital, Jethro called the director back in Washington and filled him in. He then arranged for transport back stateside for McGee, Dex, and himself early that following morning.
Jethro then called home to let his wife know his ETA. Thankfully, it wasn't too earlier in the morning back in D.C and his call wouldn't be overly disruptive for Shannon. There was a very real chance Shannon was awake anyway.
She picked up on the fourth ring and spoke a bit groggily. She was clearly half-awake but Jethro doubted he'd woken her. "Hello, Gibbs Residence."
His lips quirked upwards slightly. "Hey, you."
"Jethro," Shannon said, her voice immediately perking up at the realization of who was on the other end of the line. "It's really good to hear your voice."
"I don't have long on the phone if I wanna make it to chow time," he said, "but I wanted to let you know I'm flying home first thing." He really didn't mind flying out at 0500 if it meant he got home to his wife sooner.
"When are you due to land at Quantico?" the redhead inquired, the note of excitement clear in her voice as she spoke.
He smiled more warmly. "Around 1330."
"Great," she replied. "I'll be there."
"You sure?" he questioned. He wasn't opposed to it by any means but also didn't want her to go out of her way if she'd made other plans for the day. As far as she'd known, he wasn't going to be home.
"Yes," she assured him. "We can go see Kelly and Paisley after."
He opened his mouth to speak but got cut off by his wife.
"And before you say no," she added, "we don't care if you're dirty, sweaty or you smell like the inside of a cargo plane."
He gave a weak chuckle. "Yeah. I gotta go, but love you."
"I love you too," Shannon replied. "See you tomorrow."
Ending the far too short call, he shoved the phone into his pocket. He and McGee then headed out to grab a bite to eat while the chow hall was still open. The small sandwich from earlier hadn't been nearly enough.
That evening there was chicken, fries, and a half-decent-looking salad bar. He smirked as McGee predictably went for the soda machine while he contentedly poured himself a hot cup of black coffee.
As they finally sat down at one of the tables, he eyed McGee. "How are things going with that Delilah woman?"
McGee gave a little shrug of the shoulders. "It's going fine. We've gone on a few more dates. I wouldn't say that we're serious or anything, but she's nice. Smart."
He raised an eyebrow at the last part. It was clear as day that even if the pair weren't serious yet, the younger man wanted them to be. "Don't turn into Abby."
McGee rolled his eyes. "I'm not about to implement Abby's dating rules."
"Good," he replied with a wry smile. Jethro had rules, everyone knew that, but Abby... she had ideas about dating. Potential boyfriends had to fulfill certain conditions by a prearranged date, or else goodbye. He was still holding out hope that his surrogate daughter would realize she was just sabotaging herself. "And your sister?"
The younger agent swallowed a mouthful of fry. "Sarah's doing well. She got promoted at work, actually. Just made Deputy Editor for the Features department."
"That's great," he replied before shoving a forkful of the chicken into his mouth. Jethro was aware that she'd been working at the Washington Post for a couple of years now.
"How are Shannon and the girls?" McGee asked.
The pair continued chatting amicably until their trays were empty and then made their way back to their quarters for some rack time before they had to leave.
